NJSGC/UCI Coastal Resilience Expert to Participate in Climate Change Conference

Dr. Michael Schwebel will serve among a select group of expert panelists in “The Shore’s Future: Living with Storms and Sea Level Rise,” a two-day conference sponsored by the Institute on Science for Global Policy from Nov. 20-21 in Toms River.

Dr. Schwebel is the community resilience and climate adaptation specialist for New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute.

“The Shore’s Future” will utilize a debate-and-caucus format pioneered by the ISGP.

Dr. Schwebel and fellow debaters – a group of scientists, policymakers, business and community leaders, academics and other stakeholders – will question and challenge three scientific experts who have prepared short policy papers on the subjects of sea level rise and severe storms. (The debate portion will focus on specific facts and projections put forth the scientists, not whether or not humans are in fact contributing to climate change.)

An audience of up to 200 community members will observe the debates and then participate in the caucus sessions on the second day.

“These discussions will help audience members make the connection between the science of climate change and how it stands to impact their communities,” Dr. Schwebel said. “I’m honored to have been chosen for this unique opportunity to discuss climate change and its current and forecasted effects for the Jersey Shore.”

The conference is being presented in partnership with the Toms River Working Group, a local committee of concerned volunteers, as part of an effort to engage the community in climate issues. A report summarizing the discussions will be made available to the public following the event.

Those interested in participating as an audience member must register for an invitation by clicking here. For more information, call Jennifer Boice at 520-343-8181.